Gathoni Wamuchomba’s Githunguri Record Puts Spotlight on Constituency Delivery

Githunguri Member of Parliament Gathoni Wamuchomba is increasingly drawing national attention, not only for her outspoken presence in Parliament but also for a constituency development record that has placed her among Kenya’s top-performing legislators.

Nicknamed “the lioness” by supporters, Ms Wamuchomba has built a reputation as a confrontational and unapologetic political figure, often taking firm positions on contentious national issues. However, it is her work on education and social support programmes in Githunguri Constituency that has become a defining feature of her tenure.

For three consecutive years, the MP has posted approval ratings of 75 per cent and above, according to constituency-level performance assessments, placing her among the most consistently rated Members of Parliament.

At the centre of her development agenda is an expansive school feeding programme that covers both primary and secondary schools.

Githunguri has 27 day secondary schools serving approximately 7,900 learners. Under the programme, each student accesses lunch through an ATM card system, with meals costing Sh30 per day. Parents pay a flat school fee of Sh500, while the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) covers the balance.

At the primary level, the constituency has 53 public primary schools with an estimated enrolment of 29,000 learners, including those in Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centres. Pupils access meals using digital “Tap-to-Eat” watches, with each meal costing Sh20.

All food is prepared at a central kitchen in Ikinu and distributed daily to schools, with deliveries completed by 11am to ensure meals are served hot and on time. The feeding programme has been running consistently for two years.

Supporters of the initiative say it has improved school attendance, eased the financial burden on parents and demonstrated that large-scale school feeding programmes can be run efficiently with proper planning and oversight.

Ms Wamuchomba says the constituency will next roll out a locally driven sanitary pad programme, with pads manufactured in Githunguri using banana fibre. The initiative targets school-going girls and is expected to provide income opportunities for local women while promoting sustainable production.

Her backers describe her as a leader who combines political boldness with a focus on tangible service delivery, arguing that her constituency offers a working model of how public funds can be translated into measurable outcomes.

Ms Wamuchomba herself remains characteristically direct about her political posture.

“I am the woman they wanted,” she has said.

As debates continue nationally about leadership, accountability and development, Githunguri’s experience is increasingly being cited as a case study in constituency-level execution.